Fauxmance (Showmance #2)(19)
“I thought her name was Bernice?”
“No, that was the owner. I’m talking about the shop girl in the back.”
Rose twisted her mouth to the side, trying to recall. “Vaguely.”
“Well, it turns out she’s Elodie’s sister.”
“Really? Small world.”
“I know, but there’s something about them that doesn’t add up.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Both are immune to my charms, for one.”
“That old chestnut. You want what you can’t have.”
“It’s not that. I’ve had my advances rejected before, as you well know. It’s just that they both seem…overly suspicious of me. Like they don’t trust my intentions even though they don’t even know me.”
“Huh. Maybe they’re just bitches,” Rose suggested. I picked up a pair of rolled up socks and threw them at her head.
“They’re not bitches. Well, at least I don’t get that impression.”
“Then what?”
“That’s the problem. I have no idea.”
“So, you’re going to be consumed with finding out what their deal is for the foreseeable future and that’s why you can’t come to Scotland?”
“Pretty much.”
She exhaled a breath. “You’re always wrapped up in some new person or other, so I’m just going to leave you to it. You better come in the summer though. I miss you when you’re not around.”
“Aw, and there was me thinking I was the third wheel to yours and Damon’s epic love life.”
Rose scoffed. “Shut up.”
“Are you still going to the bookshop tomorrow to pick up that new novel you wanted?”
She nodded excitedly. “Of course. I’ve been counting down the days.”
“Mind if I tag along?”
“So that you might bump into Elodie’s sister again?”
I smiled wide. “Perchance.”
*
I considered the idea that Ellen was simply shy, and her standoffishness was a form of armour. But then, what was Elodie’s problem with me? She certainly wasn’t shy. At least, that was the impression I got from the weeks I spent listening to her conversations with Suze.
It sounded pretty bad when I put it like that, didn’t it?
Oh well, I never claimed to be some noble, trustworthy prince.
I was surprised to find the bookshop crowded with people when Rose and I arrived on Saturday afternoon. A large display featuring the latest Sasha Orlando release, The Games We Play, had been set up in the middle of the store and people were queueing up to get their copies.
“This is so exciting,” Rose exclaimed as she grabbed a paperback and joined the queue. I looked around for Ellen, but there was no sign of her. Bernice stood by the counter, ringing up purchases. I felt a measure of disappointment and wondered if maybe she was in the storeroom out back. Rose had her nose buried in the book, already several pages in by the time we reached the counter.
Bernice gave a friendly smile when she saw us. “You came back.”
“I have a trip tomorrow, so I need my reading material,” Rose replied with a wide grin.
“Well, I’ll thank you for your custom.”
“Is Ellen working today?” I asked. “I was hoping to speak with her.”
Bernice gave a sad look. “She was, but she went home about an hour ago. Poor thing suffers terrible anxiety in crowds. Normally it’s just one or two customers in here at a time, but when there’s a big book release, we get a lot more people in.”
Huh. Was that the reason for how she acted around me? I suddenly felt horrible for forcing conversation on her. She must’ve been nervous as hell having a stranger come up to her like that.
“That’s awful,” Rose said.
Bernice nodded. “She was in such a rush to get out of here that she left her ticket behind. It’s for tonight’s show of Hamilton. A friend of mine works at the theatre and managed to snag a seat for Ellen. I’m hoping to get a chance to drop it over to her at some point today, but I’ve been rushed off my feet.”
“Does she live close by?” I asked.
“Yes, she’s just over on Esther Crescent.”
“Rose and I can slot the ticket in her letterbox, if you like? We’re walking that direction anyway.”
Rose gave me a questioning look, while Bernice eyed me with playful suspicion. “Are you certain you aren’t trying to snag the ticket for yourself?”
I winked at her. “I promise you my intentions are honourable.”
She chewed her lip. “Well, since the show starts in a few hours it’s important she gets it.” A pause as she seemed to conclude that she could trust us. “Her house is number 119.” She pulled a small envelope out from behind the counter.
“Perfect. We’ll have it to her in no time.”
I was certain that if Rose, my blue-eyed, innocent and kind looking best friend weren’t with me, Bernice wouldn’t be quite so willing to trust me with the prized ticket. We walked out of the shop, waving goodbye to Bernice. Once we were around the corner, Rose stopped me in my tracks.
“Perhaps it’s not such a good idea for you to go over there. If she suffers from anxiety, then having someone like you show up will only make it worse.”